Dental Bridges in Bethlehem, PA

Filling the gap with teeth that look and feel like your own.

A dental bridge fills the space left by one or more missing teeth by anchoring replacement teeth to the teeth on either side. At Always About Smiles, our Bethlehem, PA dental office, I design and deliver bridges from a single missing tooth up to ten and twelve units, usually within two to three weeks.

A row of teeth, made as one

A bridge is one piece: the replacement teeth and the crowns that hold them, made together and cemented in place. It doesn't come out, and once it's in you brush it like the rest of your teeth. I've made bridges of ten and twelve units, so a long span is not a reason to rule one out — the design just has to account for the load.

Weighing a bridge against an implant

I'd rather be straight about what a bridge asks of the teeth beside the gap. And bridges require grinding down of the adjacent teeth so that the bridge can be cemented on them. This tooth structure can never be replaced and the long-term health of these teeth is compromised. Where those teeth already need crowns, that's no loss at all. Where they're sound, it's a real trade, and worth weighing against an implant.

Two visits, from start to finish

The same materials I use for crowns are available for a bridge: full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or gold, gold, and zirconia. I'll discuss with you which option best fits your needs, wants and expectations. Two visits are usual, two to three weeks apart, with a temporary bridge in between. Patients come from Easton for that turnaround.

What is a dental bridge?

A dental bridge is a set of replacement teeth made in one piece with crowns on each end, cemented onto the teeth beside the gap so it stays in place permanently. It fills the space, restores chewing on that side, and keeps the teeth around it from drifting into the gap.

How much does a dental bridge cost in Bethlehem, PA?

A bridge is priced by the number of units it spans, so a three-unit bridge and a ten-unit bridge are different orders of work, and you'll have the figure in writing before we start. Partials are the least expensive way to replace missing teeth and are often a person's best choice. Financing is available.

How long does it take to get a dental bridge?

Two visits, two to three weeks apart. First, I prepare the teeth on either side, take impressions and fit a temporary bridge. The laboratory builds the bridge to my design, and during the second visit I fit it, adjust how it meets the teeth above and cement it in place.

What do you do to keep a bridge appointment comfortable?

The numbing gets the most attention. A super numbing gel goes on before the anesthetic, and I buffer the anesthetic chair-side, which brings it closer to your body's own neutral pH and makes the numbness more rapid and profound for your comfort. We agree on a stop signal first, and OraVerse can return the area to normal sensation when we're finished.

How long does a dental bridge last?

Bridges are a long-term restoration — the expected time of use is between 7-10 years, and a well-kept bridge often runs longer. Porcelain and gold or porcelain-fused-to-metal bridges carry a five-year warranty against fracture with normal use under our Peace of Mind Limited Dental Warranty, when you follow our recommendations for care, cleanings, and treatment.

Should I choose a bridge or an implant?

It depends on the teeth beside the gap. If they already need crowns, a bridge does two jobs at once and is often the kinder choice. If they're sound, an implant leaves them untouched — dental implants do not rely on your existing teeth for anchorage. I'll tell you which I'd choose and why.

Chew Comfortably Again

  • Ten- and twelve-unit bridges are within reach, so a long gap doesn't automatically mean something removable
  • Two visits, two to three weeks apart, with a temporary bridge to wear in between
  • Full porcelain, porcelain fused to metal or gold, gold and zirconia, so the material is chosen for the tooth and for what you want it to look like
  • Porcelain and metal bridges carry a five-year warranty against fracture with normal use, as long as your exams and cleanings are kept up

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I floss a bridge?

    Not between the joined teeth, no. You clean underneath it instead, with a floss threader or a small brush that goes under the span. Our hygienists show you exactly how at the fitting appointment, and we check underneath it at every cleaning.

  • Will a bridge change how I speak?

    Briefly, perhaps, and then no. Most patients adjust within a few days, and a front bridge sometimes takes a little longer because your tongue has learned to work around the gap. If anything still feels off after a week, come in and I'll adjust it.

  • What happens if one of the supporting teeth has trouble later?

    We deal with the tooth, and sometimes that means remaking the bridge. It's the honest downside of a bridge and the reason I'm careful about which teeth carry one. Catching it early is what the six-month checks are for, and a fiber optic look finds cracks the eye can't.

  • Can a bridge replace more than one tooth in a row?

    Yes. A bridge can span several missing teeth in one piece, and I've made them up to twelve units. What matters is whether the teeth at each end can carry the span, which an examination and x-rays will tell us before anything is prepared.

  • Will insurance help with a bridge?

    Usually a share, subject to your annual maximum. We're fee-for-service, we file your claim for you, we're good at it, and we'll push to get you reimbursed. Where a claim is denied, I take it up with the insurer myself rather than sending you to do it.